The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 230: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

WESTMINSTER BRIDGE 201 for me to say that his mother is a lady who has enlisted my sympathies in her case, and I purpose to provide for the young man in a foreign country. Now, will you part with him by fair means? ”’ “To be sure — for the consideration named just now,”’ answered the Hangman, readily. ‘But in order to earn that other five hundred guineas,”’ resumed the prince, ‘‘ you must do certain things to carry out the views which I entertain. In the first place, you must on some pretence or excuse cause the Foundling to be in the central recess on the left hand side of Westminster Bridge this night at eleven o’clock. In a word, he must keep the precise appointment which was originally made for you, and he must be left alone in that recess for at least a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes.’’ ‘““ What the deuce can this be for? ’’ exclaimed the Hang- man. ‘“ I should not like any harm to befall the boy.”’ _““ Harm — nonsense! ’”’ ejaculated the prince, “ none is intended. But as circumstances compel me thus to confide in you, I have no objection to state, for your security and tranquillity, that the object of your boy’s being left alone in the recess of the bridge this night for a brief period is to enable one who feels deeply interested in him to have an opportunity of gazing for once upon his countenance. Now do you understand me? ”’ ‘ Perfectly, and it shall be done,’ replied the Hangman. ‘What next? ”’ “The moment you have left the Foundling in the recess,”’ continued the regent, “‘ you will hasten to the end of the bridge on the Westminster side, and there you will encounter me. I shall be dressed as you see me now, and then I will explain to you what further is required to be done.” ‘But I would rather know now,’ said the Hangman, naturally suspicious of treachery. “Well,” said the prince, after a brief pause, “ I think it may be better to explain myself at once. When the Found- ling has been a quarter of an hour in the recess of the bridge, you will have to fetch him away again and induce him to accompany you in a boat, on some pretence or another, as far as the receiving-ship which lies off the Tower Stairs. You will place him aboard that ship, and there leave him. | These are all the details of the service which I require of CoOnniclooolks (C(O)